Enjoy Hump Day With This Brief Guide To Outercourse

Outercourse is an umbrella term for sexual activity where people stimulate themselves or each other without penetration. Fumble writer Leiran Gibson takes a closer look

When people chat about sex, they often mean penis-in-vagina action. But not only is this misleading (because sex is much more than a shafting) it’s a very narrow view of sexual activity.

There’s almost nothing like a good grind. Rubbing your bits against or between parts of the body can not only be very pleasurable, it can make for super hot foreplay and be a great a way to explore sex without any penetration involved.

So, to help broaden your sexual horizons check out this handy glossary of different types of outercourse – a sexual activity where stimulation is gained through non–penetrative sex. It’s fun, easy and all happens on the outside of the body.

And remember – getting frisky always starts with consent. Start slow, and when you and your partner feel ready to explore, you could try out one (or a few) of these sexual positions:

Axillary Sex – This is when people achieve sexual stimulation by rubbing the penis under another person’s armpit… But beware of stubble.

Manual or Digital Sex – Can refer to using your hands, fingers or toes to stimulate your partners sexual organs. You could even get each other off by having a fumble at the same time.

Mammory or Pectoral Sex – Sexual stimulation is achieved by rubbing the penis between another person’s breasts or chest.

Frottage, Scissoring or Grinding – Are all terms that refer to people rubbing their sexual organs together, creating a friction that helps achieve sexual stimulation.

Intercrural or Femoral Sex – Sexual stimulation is achieved by rubbing the penis in-between another person’s thighs. This kind of sex was very trendy in Ancient Greece.

Intergluteal Sex – Is where sexual stimulation is achieved by rubbing the penis between another person’s butt cheeks… But this isn’t anal sex, because the penis does not enter the anus.

Podiary Sex – Sexual stimulation is achieved by rubbing a person’s foot or feet against or along another person’s penis or vagina.

However you want to explore it, outercourse can be a lot of fun, but there are a few pros and cons to remember.

Outercourse pros:

👍 Builds trust between partners

👍 A good way to learn how to to orgasm without penetration

👍 A pleasurable alternative to sexual intercourse

👍 A sexual alternative for women on their period, who don’t want to have penetrative sex

Outercourse cons:

👎 Risk of friction burns

👎 You could catch a sexually transmitted infection through skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes or HPV

👎 Diseases passed through bodily fluids like male or female ejaculation, such as HIV or chlamydia, can also be transmitted via outercourse

👎 Risk of pregnancy, if semen gets on or near the vulva, or into the vagina

How to practice safe non–penetrative sex

It’s always important to practice safe sex, regardless of whether penetration is involved. Protect yourself from the transmission of sexually transmitted infections by using condoms or other barriers when indulging in outercourse.

Using lubrication can also help reduce the chance of friction burns during outercourse.

Remember, this kind of sex isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great way to explore what you find sexually pleasing if you’re not ready for (or just not interested in) penetrative sex.